“Art is Work”

Painted October 2020

The Art is Work mural by Joey Rose and Alexandra Underwood presides over the Art Works Downtown Susan Kirby Place for many reasons: full shapes, vibrant palette, festive attitude, cleanliness of design, and—most of all—it’s theme as presented by the muralists.

“With this mural, we wanted to highlight two species native to the San Rafael area, while also capturing the vibrancy and energy of the town. With 2020 being a wild rollercoaster of a year, we chose to depict the California Flannel Bush, a native plant known for its resilience and beauty. Flannel bushes are able to overcome their hardships—they are drought tolerant and were used for medicinal purposes. Also featured is the Valley Carpenter Bee, often overlooked but extremely hard working and important pollinators for native plants. They are specifically attracted to flannel bushes. The carpenter bee also reminds us that "Art is Work" as Milton Glaser would say: ‘earned through practice and discipline.’ This team of hard workers symbolizes the community of San Rafael—resilient, tenacious, and colorful. Having this larger than life mural at the central location of Art Works Downtown will serve as a glowing creative hub.”
-Joey Rose and Alexandra Underwood

Art is Work stands as a symbol of positive and synergistic resilience, a pollinator of ideas and creativity, and an encouraging reminder that we must work and celebrate together to achieve our dreams.